We believe that the majority of the parochial schools across the country are struggling. By our definition, a school is struggling if enrollment has declined for the past three or more years and fundraising is stagnate or declining. It has had an operating loss for two or more years. In short, the longevity of the school is in doubt.
Unfortunately, most schools do what most schools do. As a result, many schools are in the same condition.
There is only one way out of this cycle. The way out is to do things differently.
In a time of stress, struggle, or crisis one is hesitant to make changes. Rocking the boat in uncharted waters seems risky. It is risky.
What is the alternative? How many Christian schools in your area have closed in the last three years? If nothing significant happens in the next three years, will your school still be open? If it is open, will it be stronger or weaker if nothing changes?
We hear from many schools that when the economy improves, their enrollment and donations will increase. That is unlikely. When business is lost it rarely bounces back to the pre-loss level without the organization making significant changes.
Merger is unlikely to be a solution. Putting together two weak entities rarely, if ever, produces a strong entity. When is the last time you read about two weak companies merging?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to offer a one-size-fits-all solution. You need a unique formula if you want sustainable results.
Finding the unique formula is a challenge. An outside perspective sometimes helps. If you want to do it yourself here are the steps.
Next Step:
Define the quantifiable measures that will make your school strong and sustainable.
Talk to the non-school families and determine what they want beyond good academics and religious education.
What is the best blend of their wants, the needs of the school, and the school’s strengths?
Design programming or curriculum that meets their wants, uses your strengths, and will achieve the measurable goals for sustainability in the next three years.
Develop a funding plan that will ensure the needed resources are available to be successful
If you have been objective and realistic in your analysis, you will achieve results that set your school apart from others. The new programming will draw families. Your satisfied families will tell others and enrollment will increase. In short, your school will be leading rather than struggling and the children will have a superior experience.
As always, contact us if you want help. We use a special process that offers a guarantee. For more information about our process and guarantee, you can click here.
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